A BISHOP.

A BISHOP is a person consecrated for the spiritual government and direction of a diocese, and derives his name from a Greek word which signifies an overseer. In the earliest times, in this country, ecclesiastical dignities were confirmed by the king in parliament. Afterwards, contests arising between the clergy and their sovereign, it was frequently declared that bishops should be elected by the chapters of monks or canons in the different cathedrals: but by an act of parliament of Henry VIII. the right of nomination was restored to the crown.

How

How far we had bishops in the remotest times, is a question scarcely worth our enquiry. When St. Augustine came over to convert the English, he met with great kindness from Ethelbert, then king of Kent, and settled the metropolitan, or mother see, at Canterbury, where it has continued ever since.

Ordinarily, we are told, three bishops are required in the ceremony of consecrating a bishop; but in some cases one only may suffice. The king, being certified of the death of a bishop by the dean and chapter, and his leave requested to elect another, the conje d'elire is sent them, with a letter missive, nominating the person whom he

would

would have chosen ; and the election is to be within twelve days after the receipt of it; otherwise, the king, by his letters patent, appoints whom he pleases. After election, and its being accepted of by the bishop, the king grants a mandate under the great seal for confirmation. Then follows the consecration by the Archbishop of Canterbury, or some other bishop appointed by lawful commission, and two assistant bishops: the ceremony of which is much the same as in the Romish church, except that having put on the episcopal robes, the archbishop and bishops lay their hands on the new prelate's head, and consecrate him with a certain form of words. The fees of the whole process are said, in Chambers's

bers's Dictionary, to amount to about 6007. The process of translation of a bishop to another bishopric only differs in this, that there is no consecration. The age of a bishop is to be at least thirty years.

The bishops of England are all barons in a two-fold manner and by a statute of the thirty-first of Henry VIII. 1540, take precedence next to viscounts.-They have the title of lord, and right reverend Father in God; and, besides the two archbishops, are twenty-four in number.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the first peer in Great Britain next the royal family: the Lord Chancellor

cellor is the next, and the Archbishop of York the third. They take place of all dukes; and the two archbishops have the title of Grace. The Archbishop of Canterbury writes himself, by Divine Providence; the Archbishop of York, and the other bishops, by Divine Permission. The bishops of London, Durham, and Winchester, have precedence of all bishops; the others, unless they are privy-counsellors, rank according to the priority of their creation.

A BARON.